Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Our last stop in the UP--Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park--the largest Michigan State Park and the crown jewel of the state.  90 miles of trails, innumerable lakes and waterfalls, and the largest remaining stand of old growth/mature hardware forest in the US.  The remote and rugged landscape and its isolation (even now) helped protect this place.

The hiking trails were STEEP -- imagine that the high point of the park is 1958 feet and within a few miles you are putting your toes in Lake Michigan.  After going up and down at least 2 ridges.  We picked trails with "scenic views" (only to discover that the views are pretty tame when hidden under mounds of green trees) or "old growth forest" or "historic sites" (1 or 2 abandoned copper mines from the 1840s).

We did have a day of summer!  Hot and sunny long enough to shed our fleece and dig our swim suits!!  That night however the cold rain returned.  Alas.

Let's Go Hiking!
Porcupine Mountains takes its name from an Ojibwa word for Porcupine.  

Lake of the Clouds.  To left is ridge and then Lake Superior;
2 ridges to the right is Summit Peak.

Wild and scenic, the Presque Isle River tumbles over several waterfalls as it races to the Lake.

Manabezho Falls -- named for the powerful spirit-god of the Ojibwa peoples.
Sure would be nice if someone would clean up the view!

Wide and lovely as it nears the Lake.